Witney 10 mile road race, 9th September 2007 race report by Nick Sheard

What a great way to spend a September Sunday morning! While some were off cycling, others took advantage to get some championship points under their belts in the Cotswold Classic Witney 10 mile road race. 10 Eynsham Roadrunners joined the 240-strong field. Those who had run the race before warned not to go out to fast, and to ‘take advantage of the downhill bits’ as time would be lost on the various ‘uphill bits’, some of which did indeed prove rather taxing, especially the short, sharp beast of an incline just after 8 miles. More details below!

Course: Scenic and rather undulating, with ‘250 metres of ascent’

Weather: Overcast yet warm enough to work up a nice sweat after 500 metres.

Marshals: Ray at 5 miles. Roger and Sheila at 8 miles. Always great to see a friendly face and get encouragement on the way round.

Ben: ‘Took it easy’ over the first 3 or 4 miles before really starting to race and finished in under 65 minutes, just shy of his PB set earlier in the year.

Graham: Decided to play the old joker about 20 seconds before the gun, having scoured the horizon for the non-appearing Dan Creasey. Finished with a bloody foot, having suffered a blister burst early in the race. Ouch! Within 8 seconds of his finishing times in 2005 and 2006 – amazing consistency.

Nick:  Finished in just under 70 minutes, a PB for the distance.

Larry: Ran ‘a couple of miles’ in Eynsham to warm up before the race!

Peter and Ralf and Kevin: Finished as if they could easily go the distance again, very comfortable in the final lap around the school field and into the finish.

Katherine: First Eynsham lady home, with an effortless kick in the home straight to send her over the line in under 80 minutes to screams of delight from her fans (well, daughter and friend at least).

Rebecca and Jan: Both finished in some style, Jan careering down the final hill and high-fiving anyone who came close to her!